People: Couric tweets apology to Dutch for Olympic comment

NEW YORK — Katie Couric has apologized for saying that the Dutch are so successful in speed skating because skates have been used as a form of transportation when canals freeze in the Netherlands.

Her remark during the Olympics' opening ceremony invited some Dutch mockery on social media from people who said the information was outdated. The Netherlands embassy to the United States invited Couric to visit the country to see all of the innovative ways the Dutch get around.

Couric late Monday tweeted her apologies for being on thin ice with her comments.

The veteran anchor said she was trying to salute the country's historic passion for the sport, but it didn't come out that way.

Kitchen closed, but Plant

got a whole lotta love

RALEIGH, N.C. — Robert Plant was famished after kicking off his U.S. tour with the Sensational Space Shifters in Raleigh, North Carolina, but the kitchen was closed when the Led Zeppelin frontman took his backing band to Garland, a top eatery in town.

The restaurant's owners showed them a whole lotta love anyway, feeding them free of charge.

The News & Observer reports that Plant and his band were welcomed by Garland's owners — James Beard Award-nominated chef Cheetie Kumar and her husband, Paul Siler, who also have a band together.

Kumar whipped up several small plates, including warm hummus, fried cauliflower and a beet and persimmon salad. In return, the band sang her "Happy Birthday" and invited the couple to Sunday's Charlotte show.

Dench set to have 1st

runner in Grand National

LONDON — The queen of the big screen is taking on the toughest challenge in the sport of kings.

Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench is set to have her first runner in the Grand National, the world's most grueling steeplechase, after entering As De Mee in the race at Aintree in April.

As De Mee, which is owned by Dench jointly with businessman Andy Stewart, has won at the Liverpool course before, in the 2016 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.

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